All structural work complete for the I-210 Gold Line bridge

After more than one year of intense activity, Southern California's Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority says that all structural work has been completed on the I-210 Gold Line Bridge.

This follows the recent completion of post-tensioning activities (internal strengthening of the structure through tensioning of supportive steel bands) and grouting of all internal ducts, the last steps in the process to complete the structural elements of the 584-linear foot, $18.6 million rail bridge.

"The bridge can now stand on its own," said construction authority CEO Habib Balian. "This is an important milestone in our progress to complete the bridge and we commend Skanska USA for their hard work and ability to meet the project deadlines while providing excellent craftsmanship."

With the structure now fully secure on its own, the temporary support structure will now be removed. The "falsework," which was installed in a series of nighttime closures in February and March 2012, has supported the bridge while under construction. Up to 20 nighttime closures of the eastbound I-210 Freeway will take place over the next six weeks to safely remove this temporary structure.

"The removal of the falsework is even more challenging than the installation," said Balian. "When Skanska installed the support structure there was nothing around. Now they need to work around the bridge, as well as over an active freeway."

The bridge is on schedule to be completed in December 2012. Work to be completed on the bridge includes: concrete placement for the barrier walls on either side of the deck, building retaining walls on the ingress and egress to the bridge, landscaping and lighting. In December, the bridge will be turned over to the construction authority and work will begin to add the utilities, track and other light-rail features.